TeachNZ Scholarships

• Overview
• TeachNZ scholarships table
• The purpose of TeachNZ scholarships
• Information for existing scholarship holders
• Contact us
• Past recipient 

Overview

Applications for 2024 will open from September 2023.

Our scholarships support you on your journey towards being a great teacher or kaiako. Whether you are a graduate or undergraduate, a school leaver or a career changer, have the passion to teach early childhood, primary, secondary or in immersion settings; there are great choices available for you.

We can cover the cost of your course fees and pay you an allowance throughout the duration of your study.

If you are planning on enrolling, or are already enrolled on, an approved Initial Teacher Education course - you may be eligible for one of our five scholarships.

Please note: 

• If you have already completed Initial Teacher Education Training or are already a registered teacher you are not eligible to apply for the TeachNZ Scholarships. Instead, we have Study Awards on offer - please look here.
• If you will have completed your Initial Teacher Education Training by the time you take up a scholarship, you are not eligible to apply.
• If you have received a TeachNZ scholarship in the past, you will not be eligible to apply for another TeachNZ scholarship. 

TeachNZ scholarship table

The table below outlines the scholarships that will be on offer – they cover early childhood, primary, secondary and immersion settings.

Please note: scholarship applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on the closing date. Applications received after this time will not be accepted. 

Information about applying for scholarships

To apply for a scholarship you must complete an online application form. The form will be found on this webpage when the programme launches.

You will need to create a user account in order to apply for a TeachNZ scholarship. To create a user account go to the application form and click 'log in' in the top right hand corner. 

Creating a user account registers you for personalised access to the TeachNZ system for applying for a scholarship and you will be asked to provide your personal email address. Your user account helps you provide TeachNZ with information that is needed to apply for the scholarship. 

You can apply for as many scholarships as you wish, but only accept one. Part time options are available. If you have previously completed Initial Teacher Education training and/or received a TeachNZ Scholarship, you are not eligible for any of the scholarships available. 

As part of the application process, you are asked to prepare and submit a video of up to three minutes. Please refer to the information here about preparing your video. 

The purpose of TeachNZ scholarships

The TeachNZ scholarship programme aligns to the Ministry of Education’s goal of shaping an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes for all.

The TeachNZ scholarship programme has three roles in contributing to equity and excellent outcomes:

1. It helps enable equitable access to teaching by reducing and minimizing the significant barriers that prevent some individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand from starting Initial Teacher Education.
2. It addresses equity by supporting people from communities historically underserved by the education system to start Initial Teacher Education and grow a workforce that is diverse and representative of all learners.
3. It supports the system to deliver excellent outcomes by getting the right teachers in the right place at the right time. For example, scholarship criteria is weighted to address areas that are experiencing teacher supply challenges, such as:

• specific subjects e.g. Science, Technology, Maths, Te Reo Māori
• specific sectors e.g. Early Learning, Secondary, Māori Medium

2024 Priorities

For 2024, priority will be given to:

• Applicants planning to teach Science, Technology, or Maths
• Applicants planning to teach in ECE or Secondary
• Applicants who are Māori, Pasifika or planning to teach in bilingual or immersion settings
• Applicants from diverse ethnic backgrounds 

Applicants who are currently working in a school as a:

• Teacher Aide
• Limited Authority to Teach (LAT)
• Kaiāwhina
• Kaiārahi I te reo

A number of scholarships may be protected to guarantee they are awarded to applicants wishing to teach in the areas facing teacher supply challenges.

We are dedicated to supporting the revitalization of Te Reo and rewarding our Māori and Pacific leaders of tomorrow.

If you are considering applying for a scholarship please keep an eye on this webpage.

Information for existing scholarship holders

If you are currently a recipient of one of our scholarships you can click here to find out more information about payment applications, bonding and assistance in finding employment.

Contact us 

Past recipient stories